Jill Ellis Quotes

The way Guardiola plays suits me. It enables me to get into space in attacking positions.

There are a lot of teams that don't want to play, that only want to defend against Barcelona, and that makes it difficult. We're always looking for the open space. A lot of times we'll face six defenders and four midfielders.

I don't say we are a defensive team. I say we are a strong team in defensive terms, but at the same time lacking sufficient fluidity in attack because that will take time to come.

I don't want just pure roll out of the back four. I want productive mixed play... how many ways can you affect a game?

Luis Enrique has a clear idea, and the team has understood it perfectly. He asks us to press high up the pitch, to counter quickly when the opposition attacks and try to maximise the space between the lines with the speed we have.

United are capable of setting up a low block and making it difficult, but they're also capable of coming out and pressing high.

We try and play football in a positive way. Any team has to be defensively organised, but you have to look at the attributes of the players and play to their strengths.

Manchester United are always a team that try to play football, try to play football from the back.

I think we've got a lot players in the squad who are more suited to European football at the moment.

I like the idea of playing with a bit more tactical freedom, either in a deeper role or supporting the strikers more often.

If I was to play on the left, I'd rather play there if there was three in midfield.

As I see it, Seedorf and I are coaches who handle the concept of a more proactive game.

Good decisions are not necessarily playing it short every time you get the ball. The best teams can play longer or have a threat behind or play through or around. They adapt.

It's always tough to play against teams that bunker or 'park the bus' inside the 18-yard box, but we always try to focus on our game and how we can overcome the obstacles that the game presents to continue to get better and score goals.

When you are playing with a few players in the pocket, it doesn't leave me isolated. I have a bit more space to work and be higher up the pitch.

Against a team who are tight inside their area, you look to find combinations, the center with the wings or with shots from outside the box.

I like to be active in space in behind the opposition's midfield. That's where I can hurt the opponent most of all.

Italy do not only defend; they can attack, too. They have attacking qualities, and they create chances.

There is no Benitez 'method.' We try to be more solid in defense without losing the quality in attack.

I've played under different managers, different styles, and most of my career, I was asked to play long.

Playing 4-5-1, I could have all the liberty in the world - it was complicated to express myself.

My teams have always been dominant about having the ball but having the ball to create opportunities. That's always been the clear way of my work.

I come from a Napoli team who scored 104 goals. Do you think I'm going to be hyper-defensive with Real Madrid? A team that creates chances and is great in possession is not defensive.

It is well-documented that Bournemouth like to play football. I think I can give them a slightly different dimension when the ball goes into the box.

I've never been one to go past 20 players on the wing. I'm always going to be the guy sneaking the ball through, to build and create something.